LOCKYER VALLEY LIBRARIES EVOLVE

Well......Lockyer Valley Libraries have finally evolved. On Monday, 16th June, Laidley Library went live with Spydus.

What does that mean?
It means that every library within Lockyer Valley Libraries is using the same computer system. It also means that you can search the catalogue http://library.lockyervalley.qld.gov.au/ to

• search the 50 000 plus items the library has
• Place a reservation on one of these items which you will be able to collect from any of the static libraries (Gatton or Laidley) or the mobile library stops (Murphys Creek, Helidon, Withcott, Stockyard Creek, Ma Ma Creek, Mt Whitestone, Tent Hill Lower, Mt Sylvia and our newest stop Plainland.
• Use your library card at any of these locations to borrow up to 15 items (including 10 audio visual items (videos, cassettes, CDs) and 2 DVDs
• Return books borrowed at any location to another location
• Borrow books from any location

The next stage

Lockyer Valley Library staff are eagerly waiting for the delivery of new library bags and library cards to reflect the new library service. These are due within the next 2 months.

Library Cards

Once the new library cards arrive, library staff will replace your library card on your next visit. At this time, we will also update your details and tell you about the new features our library computer system has which we hope you can take advantage of.

Work progressing well

Its hard to believe that the earthworks are still happening. Never built anything before, I'm amazed at how much work needs to go into preparing the ground to build on. We've had excavators and dozers, graders and many truck loads of dirt (for want of a more technical term) work on the site. At first, I was concerned that the plan which I have in my head was much bigger than the space that is being worked on but now it seems to have grown to the size that I had thought. Not sure if it really has or if I've readjusted my spacial awareness.

Hopefully over the next few weeks we will see the earthworks come to a close and start to see some new progress on the site. I'm going to try to go down on the weekend and take some photos to put up on our blog so you can see what's been done.

This will encourage me to put more information up on the blog. Sorry its been a long time between posts....life in the library has been very exciting but I'm going to create a new post for that straight away.

Work has started

Well the dozers are in.....I haven't actually been past the site during the day yet but will do so on the weekend. Many eager patrons have told us that there is movement down at the site and I can see when I drive past there is new piles of something. The actual earthworks are expected to take 8 or so weeks and then we will move onto the next stage.

Speaking of stages, Linda, Brad and myself recently met with the architect and had the opportunity to discuss and decide on various features of the new building. Things that jumped out at me as exciting were the drive thru style returns chute and collection point, the layout for the library including several small dedicated study rooms/areas , the new art gallery and the larger meeting rooms and conference facilities. These meeting rooms all have tea/coffee making facilities allowing for all groups to meet (either socially, informally or within a formal setting).

Lockyer Valley Libraries Patrons (including the Gatton Branch, Laidley Branch and Mobile Library) will all benefit from these new facilities when they open. This may be directly or indirectly. A further explanation of this will come within the next few months when the library service has the change to completely "amalgamate".

Old skatebowl is gone

Well, earthworks have happened on the new library site. The old skatebowl has been demolished and temporary fencing has been erected. Actual earthworks are due to start anyday now.

This is a great time for libraries and users in the newly formed Lockyer Valley Regional Library. The amalgamation has made library staff reassess where the libraries are at and where they will be going as one unit.

Lockyer Valley Libraries has 2 branch libraries and a mobile library. At this stage, the mobile library visits Ma Ma Creek, Stockyard Creek, Helidon, Withcott, Murphys Creek, Mt Sylvia, Tenthill Lower and Mt Whitestone. New sites are being discussed. If you would like the mobile to visit near you, please contact Linda Canning 5462 0371.

I will endeavour to post some photos of the site in the next few weeks.

Progress on Site

In yesterday's Gatton Star, the public were advised that as of the 24th March, a section of the Lake Apex pathway between the kiosk and the new skate bowl will be closed to allow for construction of the new Arts and Cultural centre.

This was confirmed today by the delivery of large earth moving equipment to the site this morning.

Library staff are very excited to see progress at the site.

Lockyer Valley Libraries evolve

Tomorrow will see the beginning of the Lockyer Valley Libraries which has seen the merger of the existing Gatton and Laidley Shire Libraries. This process starts tomorrow with patrons being able to borrow 15 items and an increased limit of 10 audio visuals (Vids, CD's) including 2 DVDs.

Fees and charges have also been aligned resulting in no overdue fees or reservation fees.

In the near future, all members will be issued with new library cards and the libraries will be operating on the same management system allowing for reservation between the branches, stock rotation and the ability to return items to any branch (Laidley, Gatton and Mobile).

Library staff have been busy preparing for this and new signs are being placed around the libraries as I type.

Library Size

With the upcoming elections (tomorrow....bring it on) there has once again been quite a lot of comments about the location of the new library. I'd like to take this opportunity to point voters, potential councillors and other interested people to several websites that might help them understand why the decision to move to the Lake was made.

• Size -- the State Library of Qld has Guidelines and Standards for Public Libraries http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/info/publib/policy/guidelines/four which gives minimum space allocations for libraries with other branches, headquarters and mobile libraries. This guideline was used extensively by staff when preparing for the community meeting held last year
• Site -- Gatton Shire Council's website has access to PD Online which allows you to search for sites for various information including size. This was also used by staff to determine that the area near the fire station was not large enough for our future library. http://www.gatton.qld.gov.au
• Other library sites that are located away from the CBD. Do a google search on public libraries and you will see what is around.
• Other library services -- Have a look around (within Qld, Australia and the rest of the world) to see what services other public libraries are providing when they have adequate space.

If you haven't visited the library in the last month, you won't have noticed that the library has been reduced in size. This is to make way for the larger Lockyer Valley Regional Council. The current size is well below standard and as public, we cannot allow this reduced library to be 'our' library for the future.

Deputy Premier visits new cultural centre site

The Deputy Premier Paul Lucas was in Gatton recently to address various issues in the region and looked at the site for the new cultural centre at Lake Apex.
Gatton Shire Council is receiving $3 million from the State Government’s Q150 funding to construct a new library/art gallery/truck museum/visitor information centre. This funding is one of the largest allocations to a local government in Queensland to celebrate Queensland’s 150th birthday in 2009.
Further funding is also coming from the State Government due to the prison being located in Gatton Shire. It is anticipated that the total project cost will be subsidised almost entirely by the State Government.
Whilst many Councillors would have ideally liked to have seen the new cultural centre built in the CBD area of Gatton, a building of the size and prominence of the one planned could not be accommodated in this area.

In agreeing to place the library complex at Lake Apex, library staff have undertaken to look at extending the at home service for the elderly and to provide a drive through service. The present library position in the CBD does not cater for parking needs, particularly for the disabled. The current library was undersized 10 years ago and the Shire population has increased dramatically since then. The new library and art gallery will more than double in size.

Contrary to recent media reports Council has not ignore the majority of residents in making the decision on the library location. It has only ever received a few letters of concern and one petition numbering about 2% of the Shire’s total population. A good number of those were from outside the Shire with some 70% of the names listed being either non-library members or non-Shire residents.
It is anticipated that construction on the new cultural centre complex will commence very soon and it is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Thanks to Janice Holstein and The Withcott Times Online (www.withcotttimes.com.au) March edn for this story.

Library closed for rearrangement

This week the library is closed so it can be re-arranged preparing for the newly amalgamated Lockyer Valley Regional Council. This has given library staff the opportunity to create a new area called the "Kids Gallery" in the old Gatton Shire Davson Art Gallery. We are very excited to create such an area which will allow our young people to spread out. Even though this area is smaller than the old area, the space has been more defined and if you can believe it 'brighten up'.

Unfortuately some library stock has had to be moved to an offsite (stack) location. This location has been set up on our computer system to allow reservations so if you are looking for any books that have that location, simply place a reservation or ask staff to reserve the title for you and it will be collected.

All of the library collections have been downsized however we believe that we've selected the best books to remain on the shelves. If there is anything you are klooking for, please don't hesitate to ask library staff.

We hope you like the new look Gatton Shire Library which prepares you for the even better space of the new library precinct at Lake Apex due to open in January 2009.

Planning for new library ongoing

In the next few weeks, Library staff will continue to see suppliers for ideas and tips about laying out the new library area. Planning for the library is an ongoing task (or you could say habit) for staff who are very excited and eager for the relocation.

Staff have taken on bits of the dream and are currently working through various options /services for the precinct. This services will be in addition to the existing services the library already offers.

• Story time for under 5's (existing)
• Baby bounce for under 2's (existing)
• Reading groups / book clubs for various ages (eg Junior, Adult, Senior) (new)
• Housebound deliveries to Gatton township residents (existing)
• Mobile library service (existing to Helidon, Withcott, Murphys Creek and Stockyard) with an expansion of stops to Ma Ma Creek, Mt Sylvia, Tent Hill Lower and Mt Whitestone expected in February.
• Book selection for elderly folk who have friends / relatives collect items (existing)
• Options to encourage young adults and juniors to visit the library (new)
• New technology including wireless Internet access (new)

If you have seen anything when you've been out and about and think it would be nice in our new area, please contact us via email library@gatton.qld.gov.au and let us know.

Library Location

It seems that the public have missed the Gatton Star Article on November 28 stating the "construction of Gatton's Arts and Cultural Centre on the site of the current skatebowl".

The decision about the actual site was made on the 6 June 2007 at the ordinary meeting. It was "moved by Cr Hostein, seconded by Cr Neuendorf that Council endorse the recommendation of the Library/Art Gallery/Truck Museum Committee to locate the Arts and Cultural Centre in the area of the present Information Centre. ". This was carried 7/2 with Cr Brennan calling for a division. Those in favour were Cr's Jones, Neuendorf, Macdonald, Bennett, Warburton, Holstein and Logan; and those against: Cr's O'Brien and Brennan.

Originally 3 sites at Lake Apex were looked at. These being the flat between the bridge (on Western Drive) and the Historical Society, the old BMX track and where the present Information Centre is.

In preparation for the new centre, TransLink's Railbus is already stopping opposite where the centre will be located.

Tenders Close and Skatebowl started

The replacement skatebowl has started which is very exciting. The new skatebowl looks interesting. As a non skater but someone who has watched the talented people on the bowl previously, the new bowl looks like its going to be great fun. At this stage, there are heaps of mounds of sand which will create a challenge for our skaters.

Another exciting fact is that tenders for the new centre closed last week so hopefully we'll be able to see some movement on the site in the next month or so. As soon as there is any change, I'll place a photo on our blog so you can watch the progress.